POLICE used tear gas to disperse striking Greek fuel-truck drivers yesterday after a government emergency ordered them back to work.

Around 500 drivers gathered in protest outside the transport ministry in Athens, but the incident ended quickly.

The drivers, who are in the fourth day of an indefinite strike, demonstrated outside the Transport Ministry in Athens, openly defying a government order to return to work.

Prime Minister George Papandreou gave the order late yesterday in view of the "serious upheaval to the country's social and economic life," according to a statement posted on the press ministry's website.

Owners and drivers of trucks must resume work or face penalties, including the seizure of licenses or trucks or imprisonment.

"Let them come and take us to jail," truck owner Nikos Sidas said in comments televised live on Skai TV.